The American Express SimplyCash Card is one of the strongest no-annual-fee cash back cards in Canada for one simple reason: it earns 1.25% on all eligible purchases with no categories to track and no annual fee. In a category where most no-fee cards earn 1% on everyday spending, the SimplyCash’s 1.25% flat rate earns 25% more on every non-bonus purchase — for free. For Canadians who want uncomplicated cash back with no annual cost, it is a standout option.
Quick Verdict
Best for: Canadians who want simple, flat-rate cash back with no annual fee, no income requirement, and no categories to think about — particularly those comfortable with Amex’s acceptance network.
Not ideal for: Costco shoppers (Amex not accepted), those who want elevated category earn on groceries or gas (consider the SimplyCash Preferred), or those who need Visa or Mastercard acceptance for all merchants.
Key Card Details
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 21.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
| Income requirement | None |
| Network | American Express |
| Welcome bonus | Verify current offer at americanexpress.com/ca |
Earn rates, welcome bonus, and card terms are subject to change. Always verify current details at americanexpress.com/ca before applying.
Welcome Bonus
American Express periodically offers a welcome cash back bonus for new SimplyCash cardholders.
Always verify the current welcome bonus at americanexpress.com/ca before applying.
Cash Back Earn Rate
| Category | Cash Back Rate |
|---|---|
| All eligible purchases | 1.25% |
Verify the current earn rate at americanexpress.com/ca.
Why 1.25% matters
Most no-fee cash back cards in Canada earn 1% on non-bonus spending (and some no-fee cards earn 0.5%). The SimplyCash’s 1.25% flat rate means:
- On $1,000/month in everyday spending: SimplyCash earns $12.50/month ($150/year)
- A 1% card earns $10/month ($120/year)
- Advantage: $30/year more at zero annual fee
For a cardholder who spends $2,000/month everywhere: $300/year vs. $240/year on a 1% card — $60 more annually, at zero cost.
The SimplyCash is most valuable for spending that does not fall into another card’s bonus category. Use a category-specific card (Amex SimplyCash Preferred, Scotiabank Momentum, CIBC Dividend Infinite) for groceries and gas, and use the SimplyCash for everything else at 1.25%.
Card Benefits
Purchase protection
Coverage against accidental damage, loss, or theft for eligible purchases for 90 days.
Extended warranty
Doubles the original manufacturer’s warranty up to one additional year on eligible purchases.
Amex Front of the Line
Access to presale tickets and reservations for concerts, shows, and dining through the Amex Front of the Line programme.
Travel insurance is not expected on a no-fee card — verify current benefit inclusions at americanexpress.com/ca.
Fees and Rates
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Purchase interest rate | 20.99% |
| Cash advance rate | 21.99% |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2.5% |
Who Is the Amex SimplyCash Card Best For?
Ideal cardholders:
- Canadians who want the best no-fee flat-rate cash back available on a Canadian credit card
- Those comfortable with Amex acceptance (no Costco, good acceptance at most major retailers, restaurants, and hotels)
- Cardholders who use a higher-earn card for groceries and gas and want 1.25% on everything else
- Those who do not want to track categories or remember which card to use — just put all non-bonus spending on the SimplyCash
Less suitable if:
- Costco is a significant part of your spending (Amex not accepted)
- You want 4% on groceries and gas — consider the Amex SimplyCash Preferred
- You need Visa or Mastercard acceptance for specific merchants
Amex SimplyCash vs. Key No-Fee Competitors
| Card | Annual Fee | Grocery | Gas | Everything Else |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex SimplyCash | $0 | 1.25% | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Tangerine Money-Back | $0 | 2% (if chosen) | 2% (if chosen) | 0.5% |
| Scotiabank Momentum No-Fee Visa | $0 | Verify | Verify | Verify |
| BMO CashBack Mastercard | $0 | Elevated (verify) | Base | Base |
| PC Financial Mastercard | $0 | PC Optimum pts | PC Optimum pts | PC Optimum pts |
SimplyCash vs. Tangerine Money-Back: Tangerine earns 2% on 2–3 chosen categories and 0.5% on everything else. If groceries and gas account for most of your spending and you choose them as Tangerine categories, Tangerine will earn more on those categories. But the SimplyCash’s 1.25% everywhere beats Tangerine’s 0.5% on non-category spending. The right choice depends on your spending mix.
The optimal strategy: Tangerine (2%) for grocery and gas categories + SimplyCash (1.25%) for everything else — two no-fee cards that together beat any single no-fee card across the full spending spectrum.
Amex SimplyCash vs. SimplyCash Preferred
| Feature | Amex SimplyCash | Amex SimplyCash Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $119.88 ($9.99/month) |
| Groceries | 1.25% | 4% (annual cap) |
| Gas | 1.25% | 4% (annual cap) |
| Everything else | 1.25% | 1.25% |
Break-even: The Preferred costs $119.88/year. The grocery and gas advantage of 2.75 extra percentage points (4% vs 1.25%) means you need roughly $4,360/year ($363/month) in grocery + gas spend to offset the Preferred’s annual fee and come out ahead versus the no-fee SimplyCash. Above that spend level, the Preferred earns more total cash back.
Bottom Line
The Amex SimplyCash Card is the best flat-rate no-fee cash back card in Canada for Amex-accepting spending. Its 1.25% on all eligible purchases beats the 1% standard set by most competing no-fee cards, delivering more cash back on every non-bonus purchase at zero annual cost.
Pair it with a category-specific card for groceries and gas, and use the SimplyCash for all other everyday spending. For Canadians who want to simplify their wallet with one no-fee card that earns well everywhere, it is a top choice — Amex acceptance aside.
Card terms, cash back rate, welcome bonus, and benefits are subject to change. Always verify current details at americanexpress.com/ca before applying.